At Coding Lab, we are excited to share the incredible journeys of our students. Meet Aiden Breva, a 12-year-old from Tanjong Katong Primary School who has already made a significant impact in the world of coding and cybersecurity!

Aiden’s coding journey began at a young age and has led him to remarkable achievements, including winning a Silver award at the Hwa Chong Infocomm Challenge (HCIC) 2024, as well as a Bronze award at the National Junior Cybersecurity Olympiad (NJCO), ranking high despite competing against many other older participants in secondary school level and above! Despite his success, Aiden remains grounded, finding joy in the process of learning and exploring new challenges.

Join us as we dive into Aiden’s story, explore the lessons he’s learned, and discover the passion that drives his impressive accomplishments. Prepare to be inspired by his dedication, creativity, and resilience!

Congratulations on winning an award at the HCIC! How did you feel about your achievement?

Winning the silver award at the HCIC is an incredibly rewarding experience, and I am truly grateful. This achievement is not just the result of my own effort, but also a reflection of the incredible support I’ve received along the way. The guidance and preparation from my Coding Lab tutors were instrumental in building my foundation and equipping me with the skills I needed for the contest.

I’m also deeply grateful to my school teacher for believing in me and nominating me for this opportunity. It’s been an enriching experience, and while I’m proud of what I’ve achieved, it has also motivated me to aim even higher in future.

How was your HCIC experience? What did you learn, and what was the best part of it?

It required not only a strong grasp of coding, but also robotics, logical thinking, and the ability to solve complex problems under pressure.

The experience also helped me build mental resilience, equipping me to stay focused under pressure and adapt quickly to unexpected situations, such as facing entirely new questions. Overall, the best part was seeing how these challenges pushed me to grow as a learner!

Congratulations on clinching the Bronze award for the National Junior Cybersecurity Olympiad without any special training, being one of the youngest participants among others who are in secondary school and older! How did you prepare, and what do you think helped you succeed?

I’ve been interested in cybersecurity since the beginning of the year, so I started exploring various topics on my own, including reading articles on cybersecurity techniques and teaching myself Kali Linux. When my mummy noticed the announcement for the National Junior Cybersecurity Olympiad, we thought it would be a great opportunity to push my skills further. 

With the contest scheduled after the PSLE, I had around a week or two to dive into the provided materials and really prepare. My background in coding—having started classes at Coding Lab since Primary 3—helped me build a strong foundation, making it easier to pick up new programming languages like Python, Kali Linux, and C++.

As the Olympiad was geared towards older students (teens!), I was extremely nervous and was not expecting to win anything. Thankfully, I was actually well-equipped to meet the challenges, thanks to the skills and knowledge I’d developed over the past few years.

How did you feel after winning? Do you have any advice for others who aspire to win this competition?

I was genuinely surprised to win because I didn’t expect it. It was my first time competing, and the questions were definitely challenging. Most of the other participants were older, and I assumed they’d have an advantage over me, so seeing my name in the results was a pleasant surprise.

My advice to anyone aiming for this competition is to go in with an open mind and give it your all. Don’t be afraid of failure—just focus on learning as much as you can. You might surprise yourself with what you’re capable of achieving.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank for their support in achieving this?

I’d like to thank my parents for their incredible support. The contest took place while we were on vacation in Japan, and they patiently waited with me in the hotel room until I completed the competition. My dad even helped set up the remote monitoring camera under some tight constraints. I’m especially grateful that they’ve never set limits on what I can do or seen me as ‘too young’ for anything. Instead, they always encourage me to go after my interests and just give things a try, which has made all the difference.

How did you first get started with coding?

My journey with coding began at a young age, thanks to my parents who recognized the importance of technology and AI in shaping our future. They introduced me to robotics and coding classes as early as kindergarten, but they never pushed me—instead, they allowed me to explore my own interests. I was in Primary 2 when I discovered Scratch. I realized that I could create my own animations and games, and I became adept at it easily.

What do you enjoy about coding, and how has it impacted your life?

Coding has truly become an integral part of my life. Much like math, it's a universal language that transcends borders—when I look at someone’s code, I can understand its purpose, no matter where it comes from. After starting with Scratch, I moved on to Python, explored Java and Arduino, and recently began learning C++. Over the years, I’ve built everything from simple apps to more complex games, and I can even program a robot to maneuver in various ways. My curiosity has also led me to explore cybersecurity, and I've started learning about ethical hacking.

What I enjoy most about coding is the creativity it allows and the endless possibilities it presents. It’s empowering to take an idea and bring it to life through code.

What challenges did you face while learning to code, and how did you overcome them?

Like with any new skill, learning to code comes with its own set of challenges. There were moments when I couldn’t figure out how to make something work as intended. One example that stands out is when I was replicating Super Mario in Python—the character wouldn’t bounce properly, and bugs kept surfacing. It was frustrating at times, but it taught me the importance of persistence. I would review my code, try to identify where things went wrong, and sometimes had to think outside the box to find a solution.

Coding has helped me develop problem-solving skills and resilience, as every challenge becomes an opportunity to learn and grow. The process of troubleshooting and finding creative solutions can be frustrating, but essential to stretch my skills.

Why do you think learning to code is important?

Technology is driving the next evolution of humanity, especially with the rise of AI and other innovations. As technology continues to advance, having a strong foundation in coding empowers us to not only navigate but also thrive in our increasingly digital world. Coding isn’t just about writing lines of code; it’s about understanding how things work, solving problems creatively, and equipping yourself with the tools to contribute meaningfully to society.

I was incredulous when I learnt that in the past, people used to even type out entire books using a typewriter. Just as people who mastered Microsoft Office in the eighties and nineties outpaced those who stuck with typewriters or pen and paper, I believe that children who learn to code will stand out in the future. Coding provides a competitive edge. 

Do you have a favourite project you'd like to share with us?

I have some projects that I have made, such as the Emotion Analyser and 3D Simulation of the Solar System!

What are you currently coding? Do you have any exciting or dream projects you'd like to mention?

Recently, I've been diving into the world of cybersecurity, teaching myself Kali Linux and experimenting with reverse engineering, ethical hacking, and even tracking down people. I've been probing my home security system to understand how vulnerabilities can be exploited and how to safeguard against them. Cybersecurity has really piqued my interest because the potential impact of hackers and scammers is staggering—millions of dollars can be lost, and it’s mind-blowing how much damage can be done if systems aren’t secure.

In terms of dream projects, I’d love to develop solutions that help individuals and small businesses protect themselves from cyber threats. As technology becomes more ingrained in our daily lives, the need for stronger security measures is more crucial than ever. I see cybersecurity as not just a fascinating challenge but also a way to make a meaningful difference in a world that’s increasingly dependent on digital infrastructure.

How do your family and friends react when they find out you know how to code?

My family and friends don’t make a big deal out of it — they’re used to it by now. To them, it’s just like how some people are great at singing, dancing, or drawing. Coding is just something I happen to be good at. But what stands out to me is that if I hadn’t had the chance to try coding in the first place, I might never have discovered this passion or realized that I have a talent for it. That’s why I believe it’s so important for young people to have the opportunity to explore different skills—you never know what you might excel at until you give it a try.

Aside from coding, what are your hobbies? What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Apart from coding, I enjoy playing chess and watching funny YouTube videos, especially those featuring pets—they never fail to make me laugh! I’m quite selective with the games I play, and I also love reading comics that focus on maths or science, as they combine my love for learning with entertainment. 

Recently, I’ve become obsessed with pickleball — it’s such a fun and dynamic sport. I also enjoy travelling, particularly to quieter, less crowded places outside of Singapore. 

At home, I love spending time with my two pet Pomeranians and teasing them — they’re a constant source of joy and companionship.

What are your future aspirations? What do you want to be when you grow up?

My future aspirations are to accelerate my studies and, after completing my A levels, attend a top university in the US or UK. I’m excited by the opportunity to learn alongside some of the brightest and most creative minds in the world. After graduation, I’m considering a few career paths. I’m interested in becoming an analyst in finance, using AI to analyze the stock market, or working at a tech firm where I can help create the next big innovation. Regardless of the career I choose, my goal is to build a comfortable life that allows me to continue pursuing my personal interests without money worries.

That said, my parents have always reminded me of the importance of health and character over wealth.

Do you have any advice for other young people learning to code?

My advice to other young people learning to code is to explore different types of coding to see which area excites you the most. Whether it’s web development, game design, or AI, there’s so much out there to discover, and finding the right fit is key to staying motivated. Another important tip is to seek out qualified and professional tutors. Having the right guidance can make a huge difference in your learning journey, making it smoother and more enjoyable. Coding can be challenging, but with the right support and a willingness to explore, it can also be incredibly rewarding!

We are thrilled that, with the guidance of our dedicated educators, Aiden Breva has flourished through our award-winning curriculum, developing critical thinking skills that keep him motivated and passionate about learning!

At Coding Lab, we encourage our students to use their coding skills to make a positive impact on society. Whether it’s developing innovative apps, contributing to community projects, or exploring new fields like cybersecurity, our students are equipped to create meaningful change. We hope Aiden’s journey sparks your own passion for coding, and we can’t wait to see how YOU will use your skills to make a difference!

Our #CodingLabStudents blogs feature our ambitious students and their ongoing coding journeys – be it the budding coder or advanced Python Pro, we appreciate each and every single one’s efforts as they progress to greater heights. 🌱

Coding Lab offers an award-winning curriculum specially for ages 5 to 18 – check out our courses to begin your own coding journey today!

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